Mecum leaves Board of Selectmen

Mecum resigned in writing in a letter to Chairman James Wood dated Feb. 24. Wood and Selectman Michael May accepted the letter and submitted it to Town Clerk Sandra Bourassa during the board's meeting Monday night.

Mecum, who is president of his family-owned company Crest Technologies, located in Sterling and California, cited increased business responsibilities for his resignation, stating it no longer allowed him to be effective as a selectman.

"Recent developments with my business are requiring me to travel frequently and be unable to attend meetings and not fully complete my duties as selectman," he wrote.

Mecum was elected in May, 2012, to an open seat. He ran in 2009, losing by 15 votes to incumbent Roger Deal in an election that saw heavy voter turnout. In 2011, Mecum tied sitting Chairman James Stanton with a write-in campaign that he said was brought to his attention, but said he did not campaign for the slot.

He did not run in the special election held later in 2011.

"While I'm excited for the new opportunities with my business, I regret that I have to leave so much undone in my position as a selectman," Mecum wrote. "I especially regret letting anyone down who may have voted for me and hope the board will take all views into account when making decisions going forward."

May and Wood thanked Mecum for the time he spent, not only on the board, but for his work with civic groups as well, especially the Boylston Lions Club.

"It's unfortunate because Matt was a good selectman," Wood said. "(His time on the board) shows how much he cares for the town. He had a business and a family, and he still made time for the town."

"I appreciated the voice he had here, and his posture," May said.

Mecum resigned early enough to avoid a special election to fill the remainder of his term, which ends next May. With roughly three weeks left to pick up nomination papers, the one-year seat can be filled in the May 12 town election, Bourassa said.

Mecum's departure means two seats on the Board of Selectmen are on the ballot. Wood has already announced that he is seeking re-election this year to the three-year position. Bourassa said any potential candidates would need to specify if they are running against Wood, for the three-year seat, or for the vacated, one-year seat.

Nomination papers are available, through Friday, March 14, at the town clerk's office, located in Town Hall, 221 Main St. Papers must be returned by Monday, March 17.

The last day to register to vote for the election is Monday, April 14. The town clerk's office will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.

This year, a candidate is required to submit 25 signatures from registered voters to have his or her name placed on the ballot. That amount is based on a state formula, which takes into account the number of ballots cast during the most recent gubernatorial election.

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